Latest Open University News

Once again this past week we’ve been busy scanning across the internet to find the latest information and Open University courses. The greatest university on the planet (we reckon anyway) is always innovating and leading the way on many issues that affect us around the globe and these news pieces reflect just that. So if there’s a free course or bit of news on the agenda then hopefully we will pick it up and stick it on the next Open University news.

How much state funding do universities get? The sums have been done. In 2015-16, £3.97 billion will be flowing into the coffers of England’s higher education institutions, up slightly from £3.88 billion the previous year. The amount each higher education provider will receive from the government has just been announced by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and some institutions will be getting much more than others.

STUDENTS at University Centre at Blackburn College have gained an insight into the world of academic research as part of a visit by a noted writer and researcher. Dr Gail Crowther, a sociology lecturer who specialises in the works of American poet Sylvia Plath, answered questions from the students as part of a talk about her research into the life of the troubled writer. Blackburn university students get insight from top academic researcher. Dr Crowther was awarded her PhD from the sociology department at Lancaster University in March 2010 for her thesis The Haunted Reader and Sylvia Plath. She has lectured in sociology at Lancaster University as well as religion, culture and society at the University of Central Lancashire and in social science for the Open University.

The Open University is offering people who are thinking of studying, the opportunity to be inspired by talking to tutors directly, in a relaxed and informal environment and to ask any questions they may have about studying with the OU. The event will be of most interest to those who have not studied with the OU before. It will provide an opportunity to find out more about the almost 200 qualifications that the OU offers; what is available in the Luton area; and how study can be fitted around work and family life. More than 1000 people in the Luton area are already studying with The Open University, the UK’s largest university. Some are studying to improve career options, others to make up for lost educational opportunities and others simply to stretch the mind. With its national network of tutorials the OU has the flexibility to meet most needs.